Scraper blade mountings for trucks



April 23, 1963 w. D. WEEKS 3,0 ,30 I SCRAPER BLADE MOUNTINGS FOR TRUCKSFiled May 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l IHH I /7 H" J) C) INV EN TOR.

Warre/7 Dan/e/ We (ks ATTORNEY- April 23, 1963 w. D. WEEKS 3,086,303

SCRAPER BLADE MOUNTINGS FOR TRUCKS Filed May 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INV EN TOR.

27117.5. 85 War/eh Dan/e/ Wee/(s ATTORA/EX April 23, 1963 w. D. WEEKS3,086,303

SCRAPER BLADE MQUNTINGS FOR TRUCKS Filed May 25, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3aw Z% w i 42 "@AEQM ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,086,303 SCRAPER BLADE MOUNTINGS FOR TRUCKS WarrenD. Weeks, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignor to Root Spring Scraper Co.,Kalamazoo, Mich. Filed May 25, 1962, Ser. No. 197,797 Claims. (Cl.37-42) This invention relates to improvements in snow Scraper blademountings for trucks. The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a novel mounting for an underbody snow scraper bladefor highway trucks which will adjustably and yieldably support the bladein operative scraping engagement with the roadway.

Second, to provide a hydraulically adjustable pivotal mounting for ascraper blade with a yieldable spring cushion between the adjustingmeans and the connection to a truck so that the blade can yield and passover obstacles without damage to the blade or truck or the bladeadjusting mechanism.

Third, to provide a hydraulically adjustable pivotal mounting for ascraper blade which can be connected at various angles including reverseangles transversely below the body of the truck.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following description and claims. The drawings, ofwhich there are three sheets, illustrate a highly practical form of theblade mounting and adjusting mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a highway truck with a snow scraperblade mounted in operative position thereon by means of the mountingconnections of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the scraper bladeillustrating a portion of the supporting connection between the bladeand the frame of the truck which is at an oblique angle to the blade.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view through theblade illustrating the blade adjusting mechanism in side elevation.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional view taken along theplane of the line 4-4 in FIGS. 3 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the plane of theline 5-5 in FIGS. 3 and 6.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross sectional view through the bladeadjusting and cushioning mechanism of the invention taken along theplane of the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of one r end of the bladeshowing the adjustable connection of the piston rod connecting bracketthereto.

FIG. 1 illustrates a highway maintenance truck having a frame 1, reardriving wheels 2 and front wheels 3 with the usual operators cab 4 andbed 5. An elongated snow scraper blade 6 having a wearing edge plate 7is mounted obliquely across the underside of the frame 1 by means of apair of upright mounting posts 8 and 9 secured to the side frame membersby identical brackets 10. The posts 8 and 9 rigidly support a hingeshaft 11 from which the scraper blade is pivotally supported by means ofknuckle plates 12 secured to the back side of the blade at the upperedge thereof. The construction of the brackets 11 and posts 8 and 9 willbe described in greater detail presently.

An adjusting cylinder support bracket 13 of channel shaped cross sectionis provided with a sleeve 14 on its forward end supported upon the hingeshaft 11 so that the bracket projects perpendicularly to the hinge shaftand obliquely to the frame of the truck. Spaced rearwardly from thesleeve :14 the web of the channel bracket defines a transverse slot 15adjustably receiving a clamp 3,086,303 Patented Apr. 23, 1963 screw 16(see FIG. 3) which clamps the lower end of a third cylindrical supportpost 17 to the bracket. The post 17 projects upwardly and is fixedlysecured in a third mounting bracket :18 secured to the side frame memberof the truck. The bracket 18 may be identical to the previouslydescribed brackets 10.

The brackets 10 and 18 consist of fiat plates selectively bolted to theside frame members of the truck at the desired positions. Uprighttubular guides 19 are Welded to the bracket plates to receive thecylindrical posts 8, 9 or 17. Narrow reinforcing plates 20 welded to theouter sides of the guides define tapped apertures for receiving the setscrews 21 for clamping the support posts in the proper vertical andangularly rotated positions. It should be noted that by reversing thepositions of the brackets 10 and .18 to opposite side of the truck framethe position of the scraper blade can be reversed to incline rearwardlyand to the left side of the truck. The posts 8 and *9 carry transversecollars 22 (see FIG. 2) on their lower ends which rotatably and rigidlysupport the previously described hinge shaft 11.

Toward the rear end of the mounting bracket 13 the side flanges 23 ofthe channel shaped bracket have upwardly and rearwardly inclinedtrunnion plates 24 secured thereto with inwardly projecting maletrunnion bearings 25 near their upper ends. The bearings 25 coact withand pivotally support the female trunnion bearings 26 projectingtransversely from the lower end of a cylindrical spring housing 27. Thelower end of the housing 27 is open and is axially slotted on its upperside as at 28. The upper end of the housing defines a center hole 29 fora (fluid connection surrounded by an annular spring abutment 36. A shortlength of angle iron 31 is welded over the slot 28 to protect the slotand restore the strength of the cylinder.

Positioned centrally and reciprocably within the cylindrical housing 27is an inner cylinder 32 substantially smaller than the housing andhaving an annular abutment 33 projecting outwardly from its lower end.An ear 34 on the annular abutment projects into the slot 28 to preventrotation of the inner cylinder while permitting axial movement of theinner cylinder. Stop screws and nuts 35 (see FIG. 6) are engaged throughthe wall of the outer housing below the abutment 33 to prevent the innercylinder from falling out of the housing. A heavy compression spring 36is positioned within the housing 27 and bears between the abutments 3tand 33.

The upper end of the inner cylinder 32 has a cross closure plate 37which may also form the end Wall of a hydraulic cylinder 38 positionedclosely within the smaller cylinder 32. The hydraulic cylinder 38projects downwardly and forwardly from the housing 27 and may extendinto or partially through an opening 39 formed in the web of the supportbracket 13. The lower end of the hydraulic cylinder carries clampingstuds 49 by means of which a suitable packing gland and seal 41 isclamped to the lower end of the cylinder around a piston rod 42. Theupper or inner end of the piston rod 42 carries a piston 43 reciprocablein the cylinder under the influence of hydraulic pressure admittedselectively to the upper and lower ends of the cylinder through fluidconnections 44 and 45. The upper connection 45 consists of a tube whichprojects through the opening 29 in the cylindrical housing and permitsaxial movement of the hydraulic cylinder within the cylindrical housing.Fluid supply lines 46 selectively connect the hydraulic cylinder to asuitable control valve and source of pressure 47 within the operatorscab so that the cylinder can be controlled by the truck driver.

The lower end of the piston rod 42 projects downwardly through the hole39 and is pinned as at 48 to spaced knuckle plates 49 on a bracket 53*adjustably secured to the back side of the blade 6. As appears moreclearly in FIGS. 1 and 7 the blade 6 has two series of holes 51 formedtherethrough on opposite sides of the center of the blade to which thebracket may be selectively attached as by bolts 52. This permits thebracket and the connection to the actuating piston rod to be locatedaccurately with respect to truck frames of different widths and oneither side of the truck.

It will be evident from the foregoing that when fluid pressure isadmitted to the cylinder through the upper fluid connection 45, thepiston 43 and piston rod 42 will be forced downwardly swinging thescraper blade 7 into engagement with the roadway with variable pressuredepending upon the fluid pressure applied. As the pressure in thecylinder increases the intermediate cylinder 32 is forced upwardlycarrying the annular abutment 33 against the compression of the spring36. If with any given pressure in the hydraulic cylinder and compressionof the spring 36 the truck moves the scraper blade 7 against anobstruction in the roadway the blade 6 will pivot rearwardly on thehinge shaft 11 forcing the piston rod and intermediate cylinder 32further upwardly and rearwardly against the yieldable resistance of thespring 36. The scraper blade 6 and its wearing edge are thus adjustablycompressible against the roadway and are further yieldable automaticallyagainst the compression of the spring 36 to swing and pass overobstructions thus reducing shock to the blade, the blade mountingmechanism and the truck itself.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A snow scraper blade and mounting for a truck having side framemembers comprising a pair of brackets attachable to the opposite sideframe members at longitudinally spaced points and having verticaltubular guides,

a pair of cylindrical supports vertically and rotatively adjustablyreceived in said guides and having transverse support collars on theirlower ends aligned at an angle to the frame members,

a hinge shaft rotatably supported in said collars to extend below saidframe,

a scraper blade having hinge knuckle plates on its upper edge rotatablysupported by said hinge shaft,

a cylinder support bracket of channel shaped cross section having asleeve on its forward end supported on said shaft between said two ofsaid plates and projecting rearwardly therefrom,

a cylindrical support leg secured to said cylinder bracket rearwardly ofsaid sleeve and projecting upwardly thereabove,

a third mounting bracket adapted to be secured to one frame member ofsaid truck and adjustably receiving said support leg to fix saidcylinder bracket relative to said frame members,

trunnion plates secured to the side flanges of said cylinder supportbracket rearwardly of said support leg and projecting rearwardly andupwardly from said support bracket,

the web of said channel shaped support bracket de fining an openingbetween said trunnion plates,

a cylindrical spring housing pivotally supported by trunnion pinsbetween said trunnion plates and having an annular abutment at its upperend defining a central opening,

a slot formed axially in the lower end of said cylindrical springhousing and bridged on the outer side of the housing by an angle bar,

a cylinder substantially smaller than said housing positioned withinsaid housing and having an annular abutment ring around its lower endwith an ear projecting into said slot,

a coiled compression spring positioned around said last cylinder andbearing between said abutment ring and the abutment on said housing,

a hydraulic cylinder fitting closely within said smaller cylinder andbearing against the upper end thereof,

a fluid connection to the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder extendingthrough the end of said inner cylinder and said opening in said housing,

a second fluid connection to the lower end of said hydraulic cylinderpositioned below said abutment ring,

a piston reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and having a piston rodextending downwardly through said opening in said cylinder supportbracket,

and a connecting bracket laterally adjustably secured to the back ofsaid blade and having spaced plates supporting a pivot pin passedthrough the lower end of said piston rod whereby extension of saidpiston rod under hydraulic presure will move said blade downwardlyagainst the reaction force of said spring.

2. A snow scraper blade and mounting for a truck having side framemembers comprising a pair of brackets attachable to the opposite sideframe members at longitudinally spaced points,

a pair of supports vertically adjustably received in said guides andhaving transverse support collars on their lower ends aligned at anangle to the frame members,

a hinge shaft supported in said collars to extend below said frame,

a scraper blade having hinge knuckle edge supported by said hinge shaft,

a cylinder support bracket of channel shaped cross section having asleeve on its forward end supported on said shaft and projectingrearwardly therefrom,

a cylindrical support leg secured to said cylinder bracket rearwardly ofsaid sleeve and projecting upwardly thereabove,

a third mounting bracket adapted to be secured to one frame member ofsaid truck and adjustably receiving said support leg to fix saidcylinder bracket relative to said frame members,

trunnion plates secured to the side flanges of said cylinder supportbracket and projecting rearwardly and upwardly form said supportbracket,

the web of said channel shaped support bracket defining an openingbetween said trunnion plates,

a cylindrical spring housing pivotally supported by trunnion pinsbetween said trunnion plates and having an annular abutment at its upperend and defining an opening,

means forming an axial guide slot in the lower end of said cylindricalspring housing,

a cylinder substantially smaller than said housing positioned withinsaid housing and having an annular abutment ring around its lower endwith an ear projecting into said slot,

a coiled compression spring positioned around said last cylinder andbearing between said abutment ring and the abutment on said housing,

a hydraulic cylinder fitting within said smaller cylinder and bearingagainst the upper end thereof,

a fluid connection to the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder extendingthrough the end of said inner cylinder and said openingin said housing,

a second fluid connection to the lower end of said hydraulic cyinderpositioned below said abutment ring,

a piston reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and having a piston rodextending downwardly through said opening in said cylinder supportbracket,

and a connecting bracket secured to the back of said blade and havingspaced plates supporting a pivot pin passed through the lower end ofsaid piston rod whereby extension of said piston rod under hydraulicpressure will move said blade downwardly against the reaction force ofsaid spring.

3. A snow scraper blade and mounting for a truck plates on its upperhaving side frame members comprising a pair of brackets attachable tothe opposite side frame members at longitudinally spaced points,

a pair of supports projecting-downwardly from said brackets and havingtransverse support elements on their lower ends aligned at an angle tothe frame members,

a hinge shaft supported by said elements to extend transversely belowsaid frame,

a scraper blade having hinge knuckles on its upper edge rotatablysupported by said hinge shaft,

a cylinder support bracket having a sleeve on its forward end supportedon said shaft and projecting rearwardly therefrom,

a support leg secured to said support bracket and projecting upwardlythereabove,

a third mounting bracket attachable to one frame member of said truckand connected to said support leg to fix said support bracket relativeto said frame members,

trunnion plates secured to said support bracket rearwardly of saidsleeve and projecting re'arwardly and upwardly from said supportbracket,

said support bracket defining an opening between said trunnion plates,

a tubular spring housing pivotally supported by trunnion pins betweensaid trunnion plates and having an annular abutment at its upper end anddefining an opening,

a cylinder substantially smaller than said housing positioned withinsaid housing and having an annular abutment ring around its lower end,

means forming an axially slidable non-rotative connection between saidhousing and said cylinder,

a coiled compression spring positioned around said last cylinder andbearing between said abutment ring and the abutment on said housing,

a hydraulic cylinder fitting closely within said smaller cylinder andbearing against the upper end thereof,

a fluid connection to the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder extendingthrough the end of said inner cylinder and said opening in said housing,

a second fluid connection to the lower end of said hydraulic cylinderpositioned below said abutment ring,

a piston reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and having a piston rodextending downwardly through said opening in said cylinder supportbracket,

and a connecting bracket laterally adjustably secured to the back ofsaid blade and pivotally connected to the lower end of said piston rodwhereby extension of said piston rod under hydraulic pressure will movesaid blade downwardly against the reaction force of said spring.

4. A snow scraper blade and mounting for a truck having side framemembers comprising a pair of brackets attachable to the opposite sideframe members at longitudinally spaced points,

a pair of supports projecting downwardly from said brackets and havingtransverse support elements on their lower ends aligned at an angle tothe frame members,

a hinge shaft supported by said elements to extend transversely belowsaid frame,

a scraper lblade having hinge knuckles on its upper edge rotatablysupported by said hinge shaft,

a cylinder support bracket having a sleeve on its forward end supportedon said shaft and projecting rearwardly therefrom,

a support leg secured to said support bracket and projeoting upwardlythereabove,

a third mounting bracket attachable to one frame member of said truckand connected to said support leg to fix said support bracket relativeto said frame members,

trunnion plates secured to said support bracket rearwardly of saidsleeve and projecting rearwardly and upwardly from said support bracket,

said support bracket defining an opening between said trunnion plates,

a tubular spring housing pivotally supported by trunnion pins betweensaid trunnion plates and having an annular abutment at its upper end anddefining an opening,

a cylinder substantially smaller than said housing positioned withinsaid housing and having an annular abutment ring,

means forming an axially slidable non-rotative connection between saidhousing and said cylinder,

a coiled compression spring positioned around said last cylinder andbearing between said abutment ring and the abutment on said housing,

a hydraulic cylinder formed in said smaller cylinder and projectingbelow said abutmentring,

a fluid connection to the upper end of said hydraulic cylinder extendingthrough said opening in said hous- 8,

a second fluid connection to the lower end of said hydraulic cylinderpositioned below said abutment ring,

a piston reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and having a piston rodextending downwardly through said opening in said cylinder supportbracket,

and a connecting bracket secured to the back of said blade and pivotallyconnected to the lower end of said piston rod whereby extension of saidpiston rod under hydraulic pressure will move said blade downwardlyagainst the reaction force of said spring.

5. A scraper blade mounting on a truck having frame members comprising apivotal support arranged at an angle to said frame members and supportedtherebelow,

a scraper blade pivotally mounted on said pivotal supan operatingcylinder support bracket fixedly supported from the frame of said truckby engagement with said pivotal support and projecting above the rear ofsaid blade,

spaced trunnion bearings carried by said support bracket above and tothe rear of said blade,

a cylindrical spring housing having trunnion bearings transverse to itsaxis pivotally supported by the trunnion hearings on said bracket andhaving an annular abutment at its upper end,

an inner cylinder positioned in spaced relation within said housing andhaving an annular abutment around its lower end axially slidably andnon-rotatively engaged with said spring housing,

a cushion spring bearing between said abutment on said housing and saidabutment on said inner cylinder,

a hydraulic cylinder positioned within said inner cylinder and bearingagainst the upper end thereof,

and a piston rod reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and pivotallyconnected at its lower end to said blade below said support bracket,

said hydraulic cylinder having a fluid connection at its lower endpositioned below said inner cylinder and a fluid connection at is upperend projecting through the upper end of said housing.

6. A scraper blade mounting on a truck having frame members comprising apivotal support arranged at an angle to said frame members and supportedtherebelow,

a scraper blade pivotally mounted on said pivotal support,

an operating cylinder support bracket fixedly supported from the frameof said truck and positioned above the rear of said blade,

spaced trunnion bearings carried by said support bracket parallel tosaid pivotal support, A

a spring housing having trunnion bearings transverse to its axispivotally supported by the trunnion bearings on said bracket and havingan annular abutment at its upper end,

an inner cylinder positioned in spaced relation within said housing andhaving an annular abutment around its lower end axially slidably andnon-rotatively engaged with said spring housing,

a cushion spring bearing between said abutment on said housing and saidabutment on said inner cylinder,

a hydraulic cylinder positioned within said inner cylinder and bearingagainst the upper end thereof,

and a piston rod reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and pivotallyconnected at its lower end to said blade below said support bracket,

said hydraulic cylinder having a fluid connection at its lower endpositioned below said inner cylinder and a fluid connection at its upperend projecting through said housing.

7. A scraper blade mounting on a truck having frame members comprising apivotal support arranged at an angle to said frame members and supportedtherebelow,

a scraper blade pivotally mounted on said pivotal support,

an operating cylinder support bracket fixedly supported from the frameof said truck and positioned above the rear of said blade,

spaced trunnion bearings carried by said support bracket parallel tosaid pivotal support,

a spring housing having trunnion bearings transverse to its axispivotally supported by the trunnion hearings on said bracket and havingan annular abutment at its upper end,

an inner tubular element positioned in spaced relation within saidhousing and having an annular abutment around its lower end axiallyslidable and non-rotatively engaged with said spring housing,

a cushion spring bearing between said abutment on said housing and saidabutment on said tubular element,

a hydraulic cylinder positioned within said tubular element in thrusttransmitting relation thereto,

and a piston rod reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and pivotallyconnected at its lower end to said blade below said support bracket,

said hydraulic cylinder having a fluid connection at its lower endpositioned below said inner cylinder and a fluid connection at its upperend projecting through said housing.

8. A scraper blade mounting on a truck having frame members comprising apivotal support arranged at an angle to said frame members and supportedtherebelow,

a scraper blade pivotally mounted on said pivotal support,

an operating cylinder support bracket fixedly supported from the frameof said truck,

spaced trunnion bearings carried by said support bracket parallel tosaid pivotal support,

a spring housing having trunnion bearings transverse to its axispivotally supported by the trunnion bearings on said bracket and havingan annular abutment at its upper end,

an inner tubular element positioned in spaced relation Within saidhousing and having an annular abutment around its lower end axiallyslidable and nonrotatively engaged with said spring housing, I

a cushion spring bearing between said abutment on said housing and saidabutment on said tubular element,

a hydraulic cylinder positioned within said tubular element in thrusttransmitting relation thereto,

and a piston rod reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder and pivotallyconnected at its lower end to said blade below said support bracket,

said hydraulic cylinder having a fluid connection at its upper endprojecting through said housing.

9. A scraper blade mounting on a truck having frame members comprising apivotal support arranged at an angle to said frame members and supportedtherebelow,

a scraper blade pivotally mounted on said pivotal support,

an operating cylinder support bracket fixedly supported from the frameof said truck by engagement with said pivotal support and projectingabove and to the rear of said blade,

spaced trunnion bearings carried by said support bracket above and tothe rear of said blade,

a spring housing having trunnion bearings transverse to its axispivotally supported by the trunnion hearings on said bracket and havingan annular abutment at its upper end,

a hydraulic cylinder positioned in spaced relation within said housingand having an annular abutment spaced from its lower end axiallyslidable and nonrotatively engaged with said spring housing,

a cushion spring bearing between said abutment on said housing and saidabutment on said cylinder,

a piston rod reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder,

and means pivotally connecting said piston rod to said blade below saidsupport bracket,

said hydraulic cylinder having a fluid connection at its opposite ends.

10. A scraper blade mounting on a truck having frame members comprisinga pivotal support arranged at an angle to said frame members andsupported therebelow,

a scraper blade pivotally mounted on said pivotal supan operatingcylinder support bracket fixedly supported from the frame of said truck,

spaced trunnion bearings carried by said support brackets,

a spring housing having trunnion bearings transverse to its axispivotally supported by the trunnion hearings on said bracket and havingan annular abutment at one end,

a hydraulic cylinder positioned in spaced relation Within said housingand having an annular abutment spaced from its end axially slidable andnon-rotatively engaged with said spring housing,

a cushion spring bearing between said abutment on said housing and saidabutment on said cylinder,

a piston rod reciprocable in said hydraulic cylinder,

and means pivotally connecting said piston rod to said blade, saidhydraulic cylinder having a fluid connection at one end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,094,515 Abbe Sept. 28, 1937 2,242,826 Keeler May 20, 1941 2,321,833Lull June 15, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 86,148 Norway July 9, 1955

5. A SCRAPER BLADE MOUNTING ON A TRUCK HAVING FRAME MEMBERS COMPRISING APIVOTAL SUPPORT ARRANGED AT AN ANGLE TO SAID FRAME MEMBERS AND SUPPORTEDTHEREBELOW, A SCRAPER BLADE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PIVOTAL SUPPORT,AN OPERATING CYLINDER SUPPORT BRACKET FIXEDLY SUPPORTED FROM THE FRAMEOF SAID TRUCK BY ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID PIVOTAL SUPPORT AND PROJECTINGABOVE THE REAR OF SAID BLADE, SPACED TRUNNION BEARINGS CARRIED BY SAIDSUPPORT BRACKET ABOVE AND TO THE REAR OF SAID BLADE, A CYLINDRICALSPRING HOUSING HAVING TRUNNION BEARINGS TRANSVERSE TO ITS AXIS PIVOTALLYSUPPORTED BY THE TRUNNION BEARINGS ON SAID BRACKET AND HAVING AN ANNULARABUTMENT AT ITS UPPER END, AN INNER CYLINDER POSITIONED IN SPACEDRELATION WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING AN ANNULAR ABUTMENT AROUND ITSLOWER END AXIALLY SLIDABLY AND NON-ROTATIVELY ENGAGED WITH SAID SPRINGHOUSING, A CUSHION SPRING BEARING BETWEEN SAID ABUTMENT ON SAID HOUSINGAND SAID ABUTMENT ON SAID INNER CYLINDER, A HYDRAULIC CYLINDERPOSITIONED WITHIN SAID INNER CYLINDER AND BEARING AGAINST THE UPPER ENDTHEREOF, AND A PISTON ROD RECIPROCABLE IN SAID HYDRAULIC CYLINDER ANDPIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ITS LOWER END TO SAID BLADE BELOW SAID SUPPORTBRACKET, SAID HYDRAULIC CYLINDER HAVING A FLUID CONNECTION AT ITS LOWEREND POSITIONED BELOW SAID INNER CYLINDER AND A FLUID CONNECTION AT ISUPPER END PROJECTING THROUGH THE UPPER END OF SAID HOUSING.